Recovering from a Mistake

The other day, I lost all my work by hitting the wrong button and forgetting to turn on my backup. I hate making mistakes. It feels like such a setback. Trying again after a mistake is frustrating, sometimes even more challenging than the first time. It’s scarier, more draining, and often requires new ideas or solutions because what worked before is now gone.

In reality, there’s no avoiding mistakes. No matter how good I am at something, perfection isn’t an option. So, what can I do? If I can’t expect to never make a mistake again, what can I hope for?

I hope for a solid recovery. I hope I can stay calm when I see hours of work disappear with a single click. I hope I can keep it together when, despite all my effort, things still go sideways.

Since I’m certain mistakes will keep happening, I need to focus on how I bounce back. The next time I want to yell, I hope I’ll reach for my journal instead. When I feel like smashing my computer, I hope I can pause—maybe through meditation or by talking it out with someone. And when anger or anxiety hit, I want to take a walk to burn off that energy before I make another move.

We all know we’re supposed to learn from our mistakes, but getting to that mindset takes practice. Journaling, meditation, connecting with others, and physical exercise sharpen my mind so I’m better prepared to handle the next challenge. The more I work these tools into my daily routine, the easier it becomes to bounce back with clarity and move forward.

ACTION: Notice how you respond to setbacks. Identify one small change you can make to handle mistakes better—whether it’s taking a pause, journaling, or walking away —so you’re more prepared the next time life throws a curveball.